1: Higher maximum temperature in air
FeCrAl alloy has a maximum temperature of 1400 °C 2550 °F;
Nichrome Ni80Cr20 has a maximum temperature of 1200 °C 2190 °F.
2: Longer life
FeCrAl alloy elements have a life 2-4 times the life of Nichrome alloy when operated in air at the same temperature.
3: Higher surface load
Higher maximum temperature and longer life allow a higher surface load to be applied on FeCrAl alloy elements.
4: Better oxidation properties
The aluminium oxide (Al2O3) formed on FeCrAl alloys adheres better and is therefore less contaminating. It is also a better diffusion barrier, better electrical insulator and more resistant to carburizing atmospheres than the chromium oxide (Cr2O3) formed on
Nichrome alloy.
5: Lower density
The density of the FeCrAl alloys is lower than that of the Nichrome alloys. This means that a greater number of equivalent elements can be made from the same weight material.
6: Higher resistivity
The higher resistivity of FeCrAl alloys makes it possible to choose a material with larger cross-section, which improves the life of the element. This is particularly important for thin wire. When the same cross-section can be used, considerable weight savings are obtained. Further, the resistivity of FeCrAl alloys is less affected by cold working and heat treatment than is the case for Nichrome Ni80Cr20.
7: Higher yield strength
The higher yield strength of FeCrAl alloys means less change in cross-section when coiling wires.
8: Better resistance to sulphur
In atmospheres contaminated with sulphuric compounds and in the presence of contaminations containing sulphur on the wire surface, FeCrAl alloys have better corrosion resistance in hot state. NiCr alloys are heavily attacked under such conditions.
9: Weight savings with FeCrAl alloys
The lower density and higher resistivity of FeCrAl alloys means that for a given power, less material is needed when using FeCrAl instead of Nichrome alloys. The result is that in a great number of applications, substantial savings in weight and element costs can be achieved. In converting from NiCr to FeCrAl alloys, either the wire diameter can be kept constant while changing the surface load, or the surface load can be held constant while changing the wire diameter. In both cases, the FeCrAl alloy will weigh less than the NiCr alloy.
Our product's Size Range
| Wire | Strip | Ribbon | Mesh |
Dia (mm) | 0.05-10 | - | - | - |
Width (mm) | - | 5-250 | 0.4-4 | - |
Thickness (mm) | - | 0.05-2.5 | >0.05 | >0.05 |